This is not a representative list, award availability varies depending on grantee and fund performance. Not all details are available for every award.
Except as noted, decisions of awards are made by School Scholarship Committee.
Optometry undergraduate awards
| Year | Name | Value* | Sponsor | Criteria | Selection | Ceremony |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | *A.H. Basman O.D. Scholarships | $1,000 for each optometric year | Manitoba Association of Optometrists | To Manitoba residents in optometric programs. The selection for scholarships is based on academic performance as well as extracurricular or community participation | Students apply directly to Manitoba Association of Optometrists | Fall |
| Summer research |
Dr. Howard A. Backman Scholarship in Vision Science | Scholarship | Awarded to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence in vision science and who has engaged in summer research. | Nominations by faculty | Fall | |
| Summer research |
Lyle/Fisher/Bobier Prize | Prize | Established to honour the contributions of Professors Lyle, Fisher and Bobier to optometric research | To a student who has demonstrated academic excellence and is engaged in Summer research at the School | Nominations by faculty | Fall |
| Summer research |
Optometry Faculty Summer Research Scholarships | Varies, scholarships | Faculty of the School of Optometry | To support Summer research by Optometry students | Nominations by faculty | Fall |
| Summer | H.A. Stein Scholarship | $500 scholarship | Awarded to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence in Optometry and who has been accepted to spend a summer as an Optometric Research Assistant | Nominations by faculty | Fall | |
| 1st | Dr. David McKenna Memorial Scholarship | $1500 scholarship | Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund (COETF) in memory of Dr. David McKenna, class of 1982. Dr. McKenna practiced optometry in PEI and was a leader in the profession. | Awarded to an East Coast student (PEI preferred) on the basis of academic achievement, community involvement, and leadership skills. | Apply by Oct 1 Essay required |
Fall |
| 1st | Dr. Reed Dawkins Entrance Award | $4500 bursary | Gift from Dr. Dawkins' Estate, a Waterloo Optometry graduate from the class of 1972. | Entrance award on the basis of academic excellence. | Apply by Oct 1 | Fall |
| 1st | Steve de Pinto Award | Two $250 scholarships | Centennial Optical Company | Two students admitted to the first year on the basis of academic achievement. | Automatically considered | Fall |
| 1st | Kevin Hesterman Memorial Award | $1500 award | Donations from friends and family of Dr. Kevin Hesterman, a School of Optometry graduate (BSc, OD `00), to honour his dedication to and compassion for the profession. |
Awarded to a first year student from Western Canada (preference given to residents of Saskatchewan). Minimum 75% admission average. |
Automatically considered | Fall |
| 1st | Monaghan Memorial Scholarship | Varies, scholarship | Bequest by John Monaghan of Listowel, Ontario | First year on the basis of academic achievement. Candidates must be Ontario residents whose birthplace is within 50 kilometres of Listowel, Ontario. | Apply by Oct 1st | Fall |
| 1st | New Brunswick Association of Optometrists Scholarship | $500 scholarship | New Brunswick Association of Optometrists | Resident of New Brunswick who is entering the first year. | Donor-managed application and decision | Fall |
| 1st | Nova Scotia Association of Optometrists Scholarship | Scholarship | Nova Scotia Association of Optometrists |
Resident of Nova Scotia who is entering the first year. Minimum 80% admission average. |
Donor-managed application and decision | Fall |
| 1st | Saskatchewan Optometric Association Scholarships | Two $500 scholarships | Saskatchewan Optometric Association | Presents to each of two first year students. These awards are made to students who are residents of Saskatchewan. They are awarded on the basis of academic achievement | Automatically considered | Fall |
| 2nd | Barbara Sivak Memorial Award | Up to $5000 award | Donations from family, friends, and colleagues of Dr. Barbara Sivak, to honour and remember her dedication and compassion as an educator and friend. | Presented annually to outstanding undergraduate students enrolled in Year Two of the Optometry program, who have achieved an overall average of 80% or greater and who have exhibited excellence in first-year biomedical courses. | Automatically considered | Fall |
| 2nd | Reginald Williams Memorial Scholarship | $250 award | Dr. L. Williams of Trinidad | Awarded to an outstanding student in the second year. | Automatically considered | Fall |
| 2nd and 3rd | EssilorLuxottica Eye Care Award | $2500 award | EssilorLuxotica Eye Care |
Demonstrated leadership related to extracurricular activities and/or volunteer activities Minimum 75% cumulative average. |
Apply by Oct 1 | Fall |
| 2nd or 3rd | Dr. Douglas H. Jenkins Memorial Scholarship | $3000 + scholarship |
Bequest from Ronald and Effie Jenkins in memory of their son, Dr. Douglas Jenkins, a Waterloo Optometry 1982 graduate, who passed away suddenly in 2007. |
Awarded to an East Coast student (NL preferred) based on academic achievement. | Apply by Oct 1 | Fall |
| 3rd | E.J. Chisholm Memorial Scholarship | $200 scholarship | Established in memory of the late E.J. Chisholm | Awarded to the third-year student who demonstrates highest academic and clinical proficiency in Pediatric Optometry | Automatically considered | Fall |
| 3rd | Fredrick T. Armstrong Scholarship |
$3000 scholarship |
Established by Frances Armstrong in memory of her father, Dr. Frederick T. Armstrong | Awarded to a student in year one, two, or three (typically) on the basis of academic achievement. | Automatically considered | Fall |
| 3rd | FYidoctors Academic Leadership Award | $1500 award | FYidoctors | Awarded based on academic achievement, excellence in clinical education, and showing leadership potential. | Apply by Oct 1 Essay required |
Fall |
| 3rd | Drs. Wensveen and Smith Award in Binocular Vision and Perception | $1000 award | Donation from Dr. Janice Wensveen (OD ’83, University of Waterloo) and Dr. Earl L. Smith, III (OD ’72, University of Houston). | Candidates must have demonstrated academic achievement in related courses (minimum 70%) and demonstrated a particular interest and aptitude in the area of binocular vision and perception. | Apply by Oct 1 | Fall |
| 3rd & 4th | J. Pat Cummings Scholarship | Scholarship | Sponsorship from Johnson and Johnson, administered by the American Academy of Optometry Foundation | Must be AAO member. Student who best demonstrates the ideal eye care standards of practice, achievement in both academic performance and extra-curricular activities, and participation with other professional pursuits such as involvement with patients through internships, community service, and other volunteer activities. | Application details sent by Awards Officer. Apply by July | Fall |
| 4th | VSP and AAOF Canadian Practice Excellence Scholarship | Travel Grant | American Academy of Optometry Foundation | Awarded based on clinical performance in primary care clinic, cumulative average, and intention to enter independent practice. | Application details sent by Awards Officer. Apply by July | Fall |
| 4th | Dr. Karen Tompa Nowy Memorial Award | $4,000 award | This fund is made possible through her parents, Frank and Helen Tompa, with additional support from Dr. Karen Tompa Nowy’s classmates, friends and colleagues, to honour her dedication and compassion as a clinician, educator, daughter and friend. | The recipient will have shown exceptional care and concern for patients, have advocated for advanced eye care treatments and/or have taken steps to improve the overall health and well being of patient(s) during the clinical education portion of the program. | Nominations from clinic & clerkship sites | Fall |
| 4th | E.F. Attridge Prize Award for Highest Achievement in Pathology | Gift | Gift of E.F. Attridge | Awarded to the final-year student ranking highest in the study of general and ocular disease | Automatically considered | Fall |
| Alcon Case Report Award | $5000 award | Alcon | Current year application details sent to year 4 class by Awards Officer. | Application details sent by Awards Officer. Apply by April 10. | Spring | |
| 4th | Canadian Association of Optometrists Leadership Award |
$2,500 Award |
Canadian Association of Optometrists |
Recognizes a fourth-year student for professionalism and effective leadership in student organizations. Minimum 75% cumulative average. Student member of CAO. Leadership that is reflective of CAO's values of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and impact. |
Spring | |
| 4th | A.W. Cole Prize | $750 award | A gift of the Cole family donated in honour of their father A.W. Cole | Awarded to the final-year student ranking highest in Clinical Proficiency. | Automatically considered | Spring |
| 4th | College of Optometrists of Ontario General Proficiency Award | Plaque | Gift of the Council, College of Optometrists of Ontario | Awarded to the final-year student with the highest academic standing. | Automatically considered | Spring |
| 4th | CooperVision Contact Lens Innovation Award | $1000 award | CooperVision |
Written statement on the importance of fitting the latest technology in soft contact lenses to patients and how it will positively impact their life, while benefiting practice. Minimum 80% cumulative average. Demonstrated leadership and interest in contact lens excellence. |
Apply by April 1 | Spring |
| 4th | CooperVision Myopia Management Award | $1000 award | CooperVision |
Written statement on the importance of myopia management and how it will impact their practice. Minimum 80% cumulative average. |
Apply by April 1 | Spring |
|
4th |
Ida Fisher Award for Clinical Excellence in low Vision | $2,000 award | Made possible by a donation from Ida and Wayne Fisher. |
Minimum cumulative average of 75% Demonstrated excellence in the field of low vision during Advanced Rotation in the Low Vision Clinic. |
Nominations from clinic | Spring |
| 4th | William Feinbloom Low Vision Award | A Low Vision Trial Set | Established by Designs for Vision, Inc. in honour of Dr. William Feinbloom | Awarded to the final-year student who has shown excellence in both the didactic and the clinical aspects of Low Vision care | Nominations from clinic | Spring |
| Dr. John G. Flanagan Award for Academic and Clinical Excellence in Glaucoma | $1,000 award | Drs. John G. Flanagan and Kathy Dumbleton, former faculty members at the School of Optometry & Vision Science |
Clinical excellence in the area of glaucoma. Minimum cumulative average of 75%. |
Automatically considered | Spring | |
| 4th | FYidoctors Clinical Leadership Award | $3,000 award | FYidoctors |
Minimum 75% overall average Demonstrated leadership in patient care in the clinic and during externships. |
Apply by April 1 | Spring |
| 4th | Good-Lite Pediatric Optometry Award | Equipment | Good-Lite | Demonstrated outstanding clinical aptitude and interest in Pediatric optometry. | Nominations from clinic - donor form | Spring |
| 4th | ***Dr. Michael Gutwein Memorial Award | $1,000 award and plaque | Made possible by contributions from classmates and friends in memory of Dr. Michael Gutwein | To a final-year Optometry student who actively encourages fellow students to participate in athletic and social affairs Selection is not based on academic criteria. | Nominations from students | Spring |
| 4th | Rachel Ann Cecilia Higgins Memorial Award | Plaque | Established in memory of Rachel Ann Cecilia Higgins. | Given to a student who has demonstrated courage, strength, perserverence and determination while dealing with signifcant challenges in their lives. | Nominations from students | Spring |
| 4th | Vinko and Iva Juricic Award for Perseverance |
$200 Plaque |
Created by Dr. Ana Juricic (Class of 1996) and Dr. Zora Juricic (Class of 2005) to honour the hard work and diligence of their parents. | Fourth-year Optometry student who has been faced with challenges (medical and/or personal) during their Optometry studies. | Automatically considered | Spring |
| 4th | Dr. Stelios Nikolakakis Award for Clinical Excellence in Vision Therapy | Dr. Stelios Nikolakakis | Awarded for excellence in vision therapy | Nominations from clinic | Spring | |
| 4th | Ontario Association of Optometrists Award for Excellence in Patient Management | Award | Ontario Association of Optometrists | Recognizes a fourth-year student for excellence in patient care. | Automatically considered | Spring |
| 4th | OSI Vision Entrepreneurship Award | $250 award | Optometric Services Inc., the national optometric services group | A final-year student. in recognition of demonstrated leadership in the areas of professionalism and communication skills, as well as excellent academic standing |
Apply by April 1 Application form emailed to year 4 class |
Spring |
| 4th | Prize for Academic Excellence in Ocular Pharmacology | $150 award | Initial funding for the prize was initiated by Dan Andrews, MD, of the University of Waterloo Health and Safety Department. One of his patients donated the money for the prize. | An outstanding student for performance in the Ocular Pharmacology course. | Automatically Considered | Spring |
| 4th | Dr. John Snow Memorial Scholarship | Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Optometrists |
Available to students from Newfoundland and Labrador who meet residency requirements and are in their final year of an approved professional optometry program. The student must be returning to practice in Newfoundland and Labrador following graduation and licence to practice. |
Apply directly to NLAO by April 1 | Spring | |
| 4th | J.C. Thompson Memorial Prize | $500 award | College of Optometry of Ontario Alumni Association in memory of the late Dean J.C. Thompson | To the final-year student in the who has ranked highest in clinical Optometry | Automatically considered | Spring |
| 4th | Dr. Irving Baker Excellence in Clinical Optometry Scholarship | Established by the College of Optometrists of Ontario to recognize Dr. Baker’s significant contribution to the public of Ontario. | Provided to a fourth year student demonstrating clinical excellence. |
Automatically considered Nominations |
Spring | |
| 4th | COVD Award for Excellence in Vision Therapy | College of Optometrists in Vision Development | The student who has demonstrated strong interest and clinical skills in the area of vision therapy | Nominations from clinic | Spring | |
| 4th | Dr. Margaret Hansen des Groseilliers Award |
Plaque |
Dr. Hansen des Groseilliers has been a leader for Optometry at a local, provincial and national level, the latter culminating in her serving as the first female President of CAO | Student demonstrating exceptional leadership skills | Nominations from students | Spring |
| 4th | Eschenbach Low Vision Student Award | Eschenbach | To recognize the skills and achievements of a student who has shown an aptitude and interest in the field of low vision | Nominations from clinic | Spring | |
| 4th | Dr. Robert B. Mandell GP Clinical Excellence Award | GP Lens Institute | Presented to a fourth year student in recognition of outstanding knowledge regarding RGP contact lenses. | Nominations from clinic | Spring |
*A.H. Basman O.C. Scholarships awarded by the Manitoba Association of Optometrists.